Through our Christian ethos, we teach children to hear, understand and live the word of God, helping them to give back to the world as global citizens. As every child is uniquely created in God’s image, we nurture their individual development through a holistic approach to all aspects of life.

Intent

St Marys COE Primary School recognises and values the importance of Physical Education. We want all children to experience a wide variety of sports and physical skills in order to make a positive impact on their physical health and well-being. It is our intention to develop a high-quality curriculum that inspires pupils to succeed in physical education and developing life skills. We want children to learn how to cooperate and collaborate with others as part of an effective team, understand fairness and equity of play to develop and embed lifelong values. PE can challenge and promote self-esteem through the development of physical confidence and problem solving. Children participate in competitive sports organised by Featherstone SSP, and we ensure that they transfer the fantastic attitude they learn at our school, also displaying good sportsmanship. Swimming is also an important life skill, and we aspire for all our children to leave primary school being able to swim at least 25 meters. Additionally, an imperative element of the curriculum at St Mary’s shows a need for healthy life styles, a balanced diet, positive growth mind-set and the resilience to persevere.

Implementation

•  The PE curriculum is taught through the use of the PE Hub, which is in-line with the National Curriculum, and is used to aid teaching staff in their subject knowledge and planning of PE. The lesson plans can be adjusted and changed to suit all needs but the scheme provides a strong basis of what is expected in each year group. In addition, the school has been signing up for a mentoring programme offered by Featherstone SSP, to offer further support for teaching quality PE in the school.
• Children are encouraged to participate in exercise throughout the day during PE lessons, clubs, outdoor learning, lunch provision and special events. Each lesson, children are given the opportunity to practise skills in a variety of ways and each lesson builds upon the previous skills, allowing them time to embed it. Different skills are recapped throughout, and across the years, each time they are being built upon, allowing children to know more and remember more.
• Both Year 4 and Year 5 pupils receive weekly swimming lessons with the aim that by the end of Year 6 all children are able to swim a minimum of 25m unassisted. These lessons run throughout the whole year. The school managed to arrange catch up swimming lessons for Year 6 pupils who missed out on them, due to the COVID 19 situation. 
• Children are invited to attend competitive sporting events within the local area, organised by Featherstone SSP. This is an inclusive approach which endeavours to encourage not only physical development but also mental well-being. These events also develop teamwork and leadership skills and are very much enjoyed by the children. A range of inter and intra events run throughout the school year, giving children opportunities to take part in competitive sports.
• We are soon to launch the “Daily Mile”, to help meet the government target of all children being active for at least 60 minutes a day.

Impact

At St Mary’s COE Primary, we aspire for children to enjoy PE and develop a love of sport and physical activity, which becomes part of their future life outside of primary school. Ensuring strong links with PHSE, we promote the overall well-being and health of each child through teaching about self-discipline and that to be successful they need to take ownership and responsibility of their own health and fitness. We hope children will develop the ability to take the initiative and become excellent young leaders, organising and evaluating what needs to be done to improve, and motivating excellent sporting attitudes in others.